Despite flash flood warnings and the Fairgrounds not looking to dry up until next year’s Fest, there’s still reason to celebrate. Music is everywhere, from the Bayou to Tchoupitoulas, and so much so that it’s almost impossible not to end up at one fest or another over the next few days. So whether you’re down to drop some dough, or are looking for a free ride, we’ve got your weekend:

The second weekend of Jazz Fest kicked off to a soggy start today with festival goers donning ponchos and rain boots. In the spirit of locals’ day, I spoke to a festival veteran who has weathered his fair share of Jazz Fest storms. Chuck Blamphin began working as a stage manager 40 years ago and currently oversees the Fais Do Do stage. Needless to say, he has seen the festival undergo some significant changes throughout his storied tenure.

Ground crews poured sand around the festival lawns and walkways this morning.

The Fair Grounds were already muddy even before the rain started around noon.

Thursday is known as locals' day, and veteran festival goers had ponchos, umbrellas and rain boots ready to go.

WWNO’s Poppy Tooker, host of Louisiana Eats!, was at the Food and Heritage stage, cooking gumbo for one of the day’s demonstrations. The kitchen is at the far end of the Grandstands, the inside portion of the festival.

Ownership of Baton Rouge’s newspaper, The Advocate, transferred on Wednesday from the Manship family, Baton Rouge natives, to John Georges, a New Orleans business mogul.

Along with taking over ownership of the paper, Georges is bringing on two top staffers from The Times-Picayune.

Last year, after The Picayune knocked back publication to three days a week, The Advocate began daily circulation in the New Orleans area.

This week, Music Inside Out features Louisiana musicians telling stories of their experiences around the world.

Alex McMurray, Shannon Powell, the Pfister Sisters and Jim McCormick couldn't sound more different on stage. But they're all road-tested, having talked, played, sung or cooked their way out of tight spots in Nashville, Germany, Greece and Japan.

Jon Cleary was born and raised in Britain, but didn't find the right groove until he reached New Orleans. His experience adds a whole new layer to the concept of "Home and Away."

The complete, updated music schedule for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, for Thursday, May 2, 2013.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis got a good lesson and lasting influence out of a teenage attempt to hornswoggle a new trombone from older brother Wynton. The lesson and the influence came in the form of a recording by trombone great J.J. Johnson.

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The Congress of Day Laborers is pressing local elected officials to investigate reports that undocumented workers are being detained and deported. The complaints center on the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Investigative journalism site The Lens features a story by Sarah Carr today. Carr looks at a Louisiana program that uses student test scores to evaluate teacher training programs. The education reporter sat down with WWNO's Eve Troeh to talk about her latest work, which Carr says could transform teacher training in Louisiana and across the nation.